| abstract |
The present invention provides constrained peptides and other organic molecules, that mimic the three dimensional characteristics of the HIV-1 V3 loop peptide when bound by a highly potent human neutralizing monoclonal antibody specific for a V3 conformational epitope, which structure is determined by NMR. Methods for screening for, and designing such molecules are disclosed. These molecules are useful as immunogens for inducing broadly-neutralizing antibodies against HIV-1 as well as antagonists for inhibiting the binding of HIV-1 to the relevant co-receptors, and may therefore be used in method of preventing or treating HIV-1 infection and disease. |